NBA Player Props and Best Bets for Wednesday, April 17

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The NBA Play-In Tournament returns for a double-dose of action in the Eastern Conference, where the winner of the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers will advance to the bracket, and one of the Atlanta Hawks or Chicago Bulls will be done with their season.

The Los Angeles Lakers avoided a late-game collapse against the New Orleans Pelicans while the short-handed Sacramento Kings demolished the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

With that still fresh in mind, here are our favorite NBA player prop picks for Wednesday.

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Use our FanDuel promo code for $150 in bonus bets.

Jimmy Butler Under 24.5 Points (-125) at FanDuel

Betting against “Playoff Jimmy” can be a dangerous game, but that’s exactly what we’re doing here. Although Butler has a well-earned reputation for elevating his game in the postseason, he did not produce his usual increase in production over the ramp-up portion of the final months of the season.

Butler went under this line in three straight games and in 10 of his last 12. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers ranked in the top 10 in points allowed per game and held their last 10 opponents to just 107.8 per game. Scoring usually declines in the playoffs, and we expect Butler to have another slow day.

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Kyle Lowry Over 1.5 Threes (+164) at FanDuel

Lowry was playing in the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat just one year ago. Now he’s in a position where he can exact early revenge and put Miami on the brink of elimination if he can help power Philly to a win, which is exactly what he was brought in to do.

The 38-year-old shot 40.4 percent from three-point land in 23 games with the Sixers. He went under in his last two games but went over in five of six just before that, and players usually take more threes in the playoffs. Miami defended the three extremely well all year, but Lowry will have the confidence to take and make big shots.

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Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points (-102) at FanDuel

The Heat finished the year ranked fifth in points allowed per 100 possessions, yet Maxey had his way with their defense whenever they faced off. The fourth-year guard averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 6.5 rebounds in four games against Miami and played 39-plus minutes in all of them.

Maxey’s speed and abilities both in transition and to blow past the primary defender will be crucial in unlocking the Miami defense. Joel Embiid’s gravity in the lane should also help him enjoy more space than he received when he was the primary option, which is another reason to back him on Wednesday.

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Trae Young Under 10.5 Assists (-108) at FanDuel

Young played in three games since he returned from his finger injury, going over this line twice (against the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets). He’ll get a tougher test against the Chicago Bulls in the do-or-die nine-versus-10 matchup, though the Bulls ranked in the bottom 10 in assists allowed per game.

The main reason we like Young to cash the under is because of the defensive pressure the Bulls can apply on the perimeter, which should come to the forefront in the postseason. The Hawks also have not been consistent offensively or shooting the ball, and it’s more likely Young will turn into a solo-scoring act than the leader of an orchestra.

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DeMar DeRozan Over 28.5 Points (-120) at FanDuel

If anyone didn’t get to take a look at DeRozan in the fourth quarter this year, get ready. “Deebo” was one of the best clutch performers in basketball and should develop a relative monopoly over the ball down the stretch with his team in the most precarious position of the season.

DeRozan scored 30+ points in four straight games to cap off the regular season and averaged 30.7 points in April. The Hawks are many things, but a stout defensive unit is not one of them (27th in points allowed per 100 possessions). Expect DeRozan to continue his scoring excellence with another strong outing.

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